Rack mounted keyboard and display assembly

ABSTRACT

A keyboard-display assembly is mounted includes a tray for holding a keyboard that is moveably mounted within a rack. The display assembly is mounted to the tray and includes a first display support arm and second display support arm that support a display. The display assembly is moveable between a storage position and a viewing position where, in the storage position, the display is in a generally horizontal position with the screen face of the display facing downward and positioned forward of the keyboard within the tray. In the viewing position, the display assembly rotated into a generally vertical position.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to co-pending application Ser. No. ______entitled “Vertically Adjustable Rack Mounted Display Assembly” filedJan. 30, 2004.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates in general to electronic systems and moreparticularly to a rack mounted keyboard-display assembly and method ofuse thereof.

BACKGROUND

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option available to users is information handling systems. Aninformation handling system generally processes, compiles, stores,and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or otherpurposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of theinformation. Because technology and information handling needs andrequirements vary between different users or applications, informationhandling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled,how the information is handled, how much information is processed,stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the informationmay be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in informationhandling systems allow for information handling systems to be general orconfigured for a specific user or specific use such as financialtransaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage,or global communications. In addition, information handling systems mayinclude a variety of hardware and software components that may beconfigured to process, store, and communicate information and mayinclude one or more computer systems, data storage systems, andnetworking systems.

In many environments information handling systems are stored in racks.For instance, in data center environments racks, including rackscompliant with standard EIA-310, are used to house multiple servers andother information handling system components. Racks are typicallydivided into a multiple vertical sections, also referred to as “U's”.Components are then typically designed to fit within a vertical envelopecorresponding to a number of U's. For instance, a 2U server is designedto fit within an 2U vertical space. In order to allow a user to interactwith the rack mounted information handling system many informationhandling systems provide a keyboard-display component mounted within therack.

Some current keyboard-displays components (which may also be referred toas a keyboard-display assembly or a Keyboard Monitor Mouse(KMM)),include a display stored in a horizontal position, in a commonhorizontal plane with the keyboard and positioned behind the keyboard.Accordingly, a user must fully extend the keyboard-display componentfrom the rack and then reach behind the display to pull the display upto a viewing position. This can be cumbersome work for shorter users whohave a limited reach. Also the monitor viewing angle may be limited bythe vertical position of the keyboard-display component within the rack.

In existing keyboard-display components the display typically includes ascreen such as an LCD screen. When the unit is stored within a storageposition behind the keybaord, the LCD screen is typically facing upward.The upward facing LCD is then at risk of being damaged by components orother objects falling onto the LCD screen.

In some instances, depending upon the vertical placement of thekeyboard-display within the rack the viewing angle of the display forusers of different heights is not optimal and the distance between thekeyboard and the display is often not optimized from a usability andviewability standpoint.

Other available keyboard-display devices incorporate a so-called “clamshell” design with the display component folded over the keyboard duringstorage. One disadvantage of this design is that it effectively doublesthe vertical rack space required for storage of the clam shell stylekeyboard-display component.

Another available keyboard-display incorporates a palmrest with a smallfoam cushion that is attached to the front plate of the tray holding thekeyboard. In order to use the palmrest the user is required to unlatchthe front plate and rotate the plate ninety degrees. Because this designis not intuitive, many users never know the unit has a palmrest.

SUMMARY

Therefore, a need has arisen for a keyboard-display component that iseasily accessible.

A further need has arisen for a keyboard-display component that iseasily usable and visible to users of different heights.

In accordance with teachings of the present disclosure a system andmethod are described for providing a keyboard-display assembly thatovercomes the problems associated with previous keyboard-displayassemblies. The present disclosure provides a display assembly includinga tray that is moveably mounted within a rack. The display assemblyincludes a first display support arm and second display support arm. Thedisplay assembly is moveable between a storage position and a viewingposition where, in the storage position, the display is in a generallyhorizontal position with the screen face of the display facing downwardand positioned forward of the keyboard within the tray. In the viewingposition, the display assembly rotated into a generally verticalposition.

In one aspect, the present disclosure includes a rack with a tray thatis slidably mounted within the rack and movable between a retractedposition and an extended position. The tray includes a portion forinstalling a keyboard component. A display assembly, mounted to thetray, includes a first support arm, a second support arm, and a display.The display assembly may be moved between a storage position where thedisplay is positioned in a generally horizontal position forward of thekeyboard portion of the tray and with the screen face in a downwardfacing orientation to a viewing position where the display assembly hasa generally vertical position.

In another aspect, a keyboard-display assembly is disclosed thatincludes a tray for use within a rack system that includes a keyboardportion. The keyboard display assembly also includes a display assemblythat is moveable between a storage position and a viewing position wherethe display assembly includes a first support arm, a second support arm,and a display. The display assembly may be moved between a storageposition where the display is positioned forward of the keyboard portionof the tray in a generally horizontal position with the screen face ofthe display having a downward facing orientation, and a viewingposition. In the viewing position the display assembly is rotated to agenerally vertical position.

In yet another aspect a method for providing a keyboard-displayapparatus is disclosed that includes providing a display assembly havinga first support arm, a second support arm and a display. The method alsoincludes pivotally mounting the display assembly to a tray that can beinstalled in a rack and moved between a retracted position and anextended position. Next, the display assembly is selectively positionedbetween a storage position where the display is positioned forward of akeyboard installed within the tray with the display in a generallyhorizontal position with the screen face of the display facing downward,and a viewing position. In the viewing position, the display assemblymay be selectively rotated to a second generally vertical viewingposition.

The present disclosure includes a number of important technicaladvantages. One technical advantage is including a display assemblymoveable between a storage position and a viewing position where thestorage position includes the display assembly positioned in generallyhorizontal position forward of the keyboard, with the screen face of thedisplay assembly oriented downward. This allows for ease of use and alsoprotects the screen face of the display when the display assembly isstored within a rack or extended from a rack. This also allows for thekeyboard-display to minimize the vertical rack space required to installthe keyboard-display assembly. Further technical advantages will beapparent to those skilled in the art in the description, FIGURES andclaims below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and advantagesthereof may be acquired by referring to the following description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumbers indicate like features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a keyboard-display assembly installed within a rack systemand shown in a generally vertical position;

FIG. 2 shows a keyboard-display assembly with a vertically adjustabledisplay component;

FIG. 3 shows a keyboard-display assembly extending from a rack with thedisplay assembly in a generally horizontal storage position;

FIG. 4 shows a rear portion of a display with the back panel removed,showing a gear assembly to facilitate vertical adjustment of thedisplay.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Preferred embodiments and their advantages are best understood byreference to FIGS. 1 through 4, wherein like numbers are used toindicate like and corresponding parts.

For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system mayinclude any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operableto compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate,switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, orutilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business,scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an informationhandling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, orany other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance,functionality, and price. The information handling system may includerandom access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as acentral processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic,ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components ofthe information handling system may include one or more disk drives, oneor more network ports for communicating with external devices as well asvarious input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, anda video display. The information handling system may also include one ormore buses operable to transmit communications between the varioushardware components.

Now referring to FIG. 1, information handling system 10 includes a rack12 for storing information handling system components such as component60 and keyboard-display assembly 13. Keyboard-display assembly 13includes tray 16, keyboard 20, palmrest 22, display 14, first supportarm 26 and second support arm 28.

In the present embodiment, rack 12 is preferably compliant with EIA-310or another suitable standard for electronic or computer equipment racks.Component 60 and tray 16 are preferably installed within rack 12 usingslide assemblies such as slide assemblies 38. In the present embodiment,each slide assembly includes an inner slide, an intermediate slide, andan outer (or stationary) slide where the inner slide and intermediateslide may telescope outward from the outer slide. Keyboard-display 13(via tray 16) is preferably attached to the inner slide, which allowstray 16 to extend forward into an extended position 40, as shown, and aretracted position in the direction of arrow 42.

In the present embodiment, tray 16 is attached to slide assembly 38.Tray 16 includes a keyboard portion 18 formed to allow a keyboard to beinstalled thereon. Keyboard 16 and palmrest 22 are both disposed on tray22, with keyboard 16 being disposed within keyboard portion 18 andpalmrest disposed forward of keyboard 20. Although not expressly shown,the cabling associated with keyboard 16 (as well as cabling associatedwith display 14) are preferably contained in a cable management assemblyas are known to those of skill in the art, that extends and retracts askeyboard-display assembly 13 moves forward into extended position 40 oris retracted in the direction of arrow 42 with rack 12.

In alternate embodiments, tray 16 and keyboard 20 may be integrated intoa single component. Also, in the present embodiment keyboard 20 includesan integrated pointing device (here, a roller ball type device). Inalternate embodiments, a separate pointing device component may beinstalled within tray 16. In other alternate embodiments, palmrest 22may not be included or may be integrated into tray 16 or keyboard 20.

In the present embodiment the area directly behind the keyboard servesthree purposes. It contains and shrouds the pivots that control therotation of display assembly 15. It also contains and shrouds the powertransformer that converts AC power to DC power for display 14. Last ofall, it serves as a cable routing and strain relief area for the powercables, keyboard cables, mouse cables, and video cables associated withkeyboard-display assembly 13.

Display assembly 15 includes display 14 supported by first support arm26 and second support arm 28. In the present embodiment (and as furtherdescribed below) display 14 is movable with respect to first support arm26 and second support arm 28. Accordingly, as display assembly 15 is inits second, generally vertical viewing position (as shown), display 14may be adjusted vertically by slidably traversing up or down supportarms 26 and 28. In the present preferred embodiment, display 14 has anadjustment range of approximately 4.5 inches with respect to supportarms 26 and 28. However, in alternate embodiments, display 14 may befixed with respect support arms 26 and 28 or may have a greater orlesser adjustment range with respect to support arms 26 and 28.

Display assembly 15 is pivotally mounted to tray 16 such the displayassembly may move between a first, generally horizontal storage position(as shown in FIG. 3) and a generally vertical viewing position as shownin FIG. 1. Display 14 further includes screen face 24 and rear face 25.In the second, viewing position, screen face 24 is viewable to a userstanding in front of keyboard-display assembly 13. In the first,generally horizontal storage position, display 14 is disposed ingenerally the same vertical envelope as tray 16 and keyboard 20 withscreen face 24 facing downward and rear face 25 facing upward. In thismanner, screen face 24 will be protected from objects falling fromabove, such as components being installed in or removed from rack 12.Additionally, by positioning display 14 forward of keyboard 20, display14 is advantageously accessible to a user who is pullingkeyboard-display assembly 13 from rack and moving 14 to a viewingposition.

In the present embodiment, display 14 includes handle 52 integrated intothe body of display 14 to facilitate moving keyboard-display assemblybetween extended position 40 (as shown) and retracted position (notexpressly shown) and to rotate display assembly 15 between its generallyhorizontal storage position (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) and itsgenerally vertical viewing position (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). In thepresent embodiment, display assembly 15 may rotate up from the generallyhorizontal storage position up to 102 degrees. Accordingly, thegenerally vertical viewing positioning of display assembly 15encompasses any position of display assembly in which display 14 may beoperatively viewed by a user standing in front of keyboard-displayassembly 13.

Also in the present embodiment, first support arm 26 and second supportarm 28 are each additionally supported by first rotation support bracket34 and second rotation support bracket 36. Note that in alternateembodiments, support arms 26 and 28 may function without the aid ofrotation support brackets 34 and 36. In the present embodiment, a firstend of support arms 26 and 28 are pivotally attached to tray 16 in aposition behind keyboard portion 18. Rotation support brackets 34 and 38are pivotally secured to tray 16 about a pivot point 44 (note that thepivot point of first rotation support bracket 34 is not expressly shown)in a position forward of each respective support arm 26 and 28. Firstsupport arm 26 has a first longitudinal slot 30 formed in the lowerportion thereof. Second support arm 28 has a corresponding secondlongitudinal slot 32 formed in the lower portion thereof.

The operation of first rotation support bracket 34 and second rotationsupport bracket correspond and the description of the operation ofsecond rotation support bracket 36 applies in a corresponding manner tothe operation of first rotation support bracket 34 (as well as secondend 44 of first rotation support bracket 34). Second rotation supportbracket 36 is pivotally connected at a first end 48 to tray 16 andslidably connected at its second end 46 to slot 33. Accordingly, asdisplay assembly 15 rotates, the position of second end 46 of secondrotation support bracket 36 will travel along the length of slot 32.

As display assembly 15 is rotated to the maximum angle of rotation ofthe viewing position (as shown) second end 46 rests at the base of slot32 and helps prevent keyboard-display assembly 15 from extending beyondthe maximum angle of rotation of the viewing position. As displayassembly 15 is rotated into the generally horizontal storage position,second end 46 will travel upwards along slot 32. In the event thatdisplay has been lowered with respect to support arms 26 and 28 (asshown in FIG. 2), as display assembly 15 is rotated forward, the secondend 46 of second rotation support bracket 36 contacts a bottom portion51 of display 14. As display assembly 15 is further rotated, second end46 of second rotation support bracket 36 pushes display 14 to extend tothe maximum extension of second rotation support bracket 36 with respectto second slot 32. Accordingly, second rotation support bracket 28 willposition display 14 to allow it to rotate into the generally horizontalstorage position (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) without interfering with orotherwise contacting tray 16, keyboard 20, or palmrest 22.

Now referring to FIG. 2, keyboard-display assembly 13, movable from afirst vertical position 54 to a second vertical position 56, is shown.As used herein, the terms “first vertical position” and “second verticalposition” refer not only to the generally vertical adjustment of display14 when display-assembly is in a generally vertical viewing position (asshown) but applies to any movement of display 14 with respect to supportarms 26 and 28. Accordingly, movement of display 14 between firstvertical position 54 and second vertical position 56 may take place asdisplay assembly 15 is partially rotated toward the generally horizontalstorage position.

Now referring to FIG. 3, a depiction of display assembly 15 is shown ina storage position 58. As shown, display assembly is rotated into agenerally horizontal storage position 58, forward of keyboard 20, tray16, and palmrest 22. As shown, display assembly 15 as well as tray 16,keyboard 20, and palmrest 22 are all in a common vertical envelope. Inthe present embodiment, keyboard-display assembly may preferably beinstalled within rack 12 in a 1U envelope. Also shown, rear face 25 isfacing in an upward orientation (and screen face 24 is facing in adownward orientation) thereby protecting screen face 24 from fallingobjects.

Now referring to FIG. 4, a depiction of keyboard-display assembly 15with portions of rear face 25 removed is shown. As shown, first supportarm 26 and second support arm 28 extend into the body of display 14.Display 14 includes gear assembly 73 that interfaces with support arms26 and 28 to allow display 14 to move with respect to support arms 26and 28.

As shown, first support arm 26 also includes upper portion 71 thatincludes first gear rack 70 at its lower end and first detent 76, seconddetent 78, and third detent 80 at its upper end. Gear rack 70 interfaceswith first gear 72 of gearing assembly 73. Detents 76, 78, and 80 maypreferably interface with detent assembly to secure display 14 withrespect to first support arm 26. It should be noted that in the presentembodiment, second support arm 28 interfaces with second gear 76 in acorresponding fashion and includes corresponding detents that interfacewith a similarly corresponding detent assembly (not expressly shown). Inalternate embodiments, only a single detent assembly and gear assemblymay be use to selectively position display 14 with respect to supportarm 26 or 28.

Gearing assembly 73 includes first gear 72 attached to a first end ofrod 74 and second gear 76 attached to the second end of rod 74. In thepresent embodiment, gears 72 and 76 are fixed with respect to rod 74,such that if gear 72 rotates, gear 74 will rotate an equal amount.Accordingly, both sides of display 14 will preferably traverse along thegear racks 70 (and its corresponding gear rack-not expressly shown) ofsupport arms 26 and 28 in unison, thereby preventing indexing of display14 as it moves with respect to support arms 26 and 28. Preferably, thefriction between gears 72 and 76 and the gear racks 70 providessufficient friction to retain display 14 in a particular verticalposition 54 or 56, or any point in between (as described above).

In the present embodiment, display 14 also includes a first detentassembly 81 (and a corresponding second detent assembly, not expresslyshown) that may secure display 14 with respect to first support arm 26and second support arm 28. First detent assembly 81 includes fixedbracket 82, and leaf spring 84. Bracket 82 is fixed within display 14and leaf spring 84 is fixed to bracket 82. Leaf spring 84 is furtherformed to rest within detents 76, 78, or 80. Accordingly, as display 14is moved with respect to first support arm 26, leaf spring 84 travelsadjacent to upper portion 71 of first support arm 26. As the interfaceportion of leaf spring 84 aligns with detents 76, 78, 80, a user maystop the movement of display 14 with respect to support arms 26 and 28and allow the interface between leaf spring 84 and the detent in use tosecure display 14 relative to support arms 26 and 28.

In the present embodiment, the pressure exerted by leaf spring 84against detents 76, 78, or 80 is operable to hold display 14 in placewith respect to support arms 26 and 28, and will also be displaced witha small amount of force exerted by a user to adjust the position ofdisplay 14 relative to support arms 26 and 28. The present embodimentincludes three detents 76, 78, and 80. In alternate embodiments more orfewer detents may be included.

Also shown in the present embodiment are display electronics housing 92connected to cabling 91. As shown cable 91 is a VGA cable and is fixedto the display housing with tabs 93. In particular, cable 91 is attachedto form service loop 90 such that a sufficient length of cabling isdisposed within the housing of display 14 to facilitate movement ofdisplay 14 with respect to support arms 26 and 28. Additional cablingassociated with display 14 (such as power cables or other appropriatecables) may also include a service loop.

In operation, a user may find keyboard-display assembly 15 stored in arack system 12, with the display assembly in a storage position. Theuser may access the keyboard-display assembly by pulling thekeyboard-display assembly to extended position 40. In the presentembodiment, the user may preferably accomplish this using handle 52.Next a user may move display assembly from its generally horizontalstorage position to a generally vertical viewing position. As describedabove, display assembly 15 may rotate up to 102 degrees from thegenerally horizontal storage position. The user preferably rotatesdisplay assembly to a desired angle. In the present embodiment, the usermay then adjust display 14 relative to support arms 26 and 28.

When a user is finished using keyboard-display 13, the user may rotatedisplay assembly 15 forward to the storage position. In the presentembodiment, if display 14 has been lowered with respect to support arms26 and 28, rotation support brackets 34 and 36 act to push display 14 toextend along support arms 26 and 28 sufficiently to extend past tray 16,keyboard 20, and palm rest 22. In embodiments without rotation supportbrackets 34 and 36, a user will preferrably extend display 14sufficiently to move display assembly 15 into the storage position. Inembodiments in which display 14 is fixed with respect to support arms 26and 28, display 14 will be fixed in an appropriate position to cleartray 16, keyboard 20 and palm rest 22 and rotate into the storageposition.

Although the disclosed embodiments have been described in detail, itshould be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterationscan be made to the embodiments without departing from their spirit andscope.

1. An information handling system comprising: a rack; a tray slidablymounted within the rack and movable between a retracted position and anextended position; the tray having a keyboard portion for installing akeyboard component; a display assembly including a first support arm, asecond support arm and a display, the display having a screen-face, thedisplay assembly movable between a storage position and a viewingposition; the storage position comprising the display positioned forwardof the keyboard portion in a generally horizontal position and thescreen-face having a downward facing orientation; and the storageposition comprising the display assembly rotated into a generallyvertical position
 2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a keyboarddisposed within the keyboard portion of the tray.
 3. The system of claim2 further comprising a palmrest disposed in the tray forward of thekeyboard, the storage position further comprising the display positionedforward of the palmrest.
 4. The system of claim 1 further comprising:the first support arm pivotally attached to a first side of the tray;and the second support arm pivotally attached to a second side of thetray.
 5. The system of claim 1, the viewing position further comprisingthe display assembly rotated at least 90° upward from the first,generally horizontal, position.
 6. The system of claim 1 furthercomprising the viewing position wherein the display assembly is rotatedup to approximately 102° from the first, generally horizontal, storageposition.
 7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a handleintegrated into the display operable to facilitate movement of thedisplay assembly between the storage position and the viewing position.8. The system of claim 1 further comprising the display selectivelymovable with respect to the first support arm and the second support armsuch that in the viewing position the display may be verticallyadjusted.
 9. The system of claim 8 wherein: the first support armfurther comprises a first gear rack; the second support arm furthercomprises a second gear rack; the display further comprises a gearassembly comprising a first gear fixed to a first end of a rod and asecond gear fixed to a second end of the rod; the first gear operable tointerface with the first gear rack; and the second gear formed tointerface with the second gear rack.
 10. The system of claim 8 furthercomprising the first support arm and the second support arm each havingat least two detents, each operable to interface with a detent assemblywithin the display and retain the display in a selected position withrespect to the first support arm and the second support arm.
 11. Thesystem of claim 8 further comprising: a VGA cable associated with thedisplay; the VGA cable having a service loop to facilitate the movementof the display with respect to the first support arm and the secondsupport arm.
 12. A keyboard-display assembly for use within a racksystem comprising: a tray sized for installation within a rack systemand having a keyboard portion for installing a keyboard component; adisplay assembly selectively movable between a storage position and aviewing position, the display assembly including a first support arm, asecond support arm, and a display, the display having a screen-face anda rear-face; the storage position comprising the display positionedforward of the keyboard portion in a generally horizontal position andthe screen-face having a downward facing orientation; and the viewingposition comprising the display assembly rotated into a generallyvertical position.
 13. The system of claim 12 further comprising apalmrest disposed in the tray forward of the keyboard, the storageposition further comprising the display positioned forward of thepalmrest.
 14. The system of claim 12 further comprising: the firstsupport arm pivotally attached to a first side of the tray; and thesecond support arm pivotally attached to a second side of the tray. 15.The system of claim 12, the viewing position further comprising thedisplay assembly rotated at least 90° upward from the first, generallyhorizontal, position.
 16. The system of claim 12 further comprising thedisplay selectively movable with respect to the first support arm andthe second support arm such that in the viewing position the display maybe vertically adjusted.
 17. The system of claim 16 wherein: the firstsupport arm further comprises a first gear rack; the second support armfurther comprises a second gear rack; the display further comprises agear assembly having a first gear fixed to a first end of a rod and asecond gear fixed to a second end of the rod; the first gear operable tointerface with the first gear rack; and the second gear formed tointerface with the second gear rack.
 18. A method for providing akeyboard-display apparatus in a rack system comprising: providing adisplay assembly having a first support arm, a second support arm, and adisplay; pivotally mounting the display assembly to a tray, movablebetween a retracted position and an extended position; selectivelypositioning the display assembly in a storage position comprising thedisplay positioned forward of a keyboard installed within the tray, thedisplay in a generally horizontal position and a screen-face of thedisplay having a downward facing orientation; and selectively rotatingthe display assembly to a second, generally vertical position.
 19. Themethod of claim 18 further comprising selectively moving the displayrelative to the first support arm and the second support arm.
 20. Themethod of claim 18 wherein selectively rotating the display assemblycomprises rotating the display assembly at least 90 degrees from thestorage position.